Annesley Buildings favoured spot for new leisure centre

Annesley Buildings favoured spot for new leisure centre

30 January 2019

A PRIME town centre site in the heart of Newcastle is emerging as the favourite for new indoor leisure provision.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council has previously held discussions with a number of hotel developers about redeveloping the Annesley Buildings which is also home to the Newcastle Centre at Central Promenade.

But it has emerged that the expansive site may not now be used for this purpose, with council officials considering a redevelopment to provide ultra-modern wet weather provision, even though such a move would require significant investment.

A year ago, the Recorder revealed that the development of a new leisure centre in the resort was back on the agenda when it was confirmed that consultants were to be appointed to complete a detailed feasibility study, examining potential sites for a new indoor complex.

Two sites were previously identified for a new centre, with sports pitches at Donard Park the preferred option. However, councillors subsequently switched attention to the former St. Mary’s Girls’ Primary School campus at Shanslieve Drive.

Despite a number of protracted attempts to secure the site and hopes that a deal could be agreed, it was bought by supermarket giant Lidl.

While widely regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s premier tourist resorts, Newcastle does not have a modern indoor leisure facility and while there are some politicians who would like a swimming pool as part of any new development in the resort, this seems unlikely given there are local authority pools in Downpatrick, Kilkeel and Newry.

It was previously suggested that the sale of the Annesley Buildings would free up the site for a new hotel and, significantly, generate funds to help provide new leisure provision in the resort. But that now looks unlikely.

As part of the drive to significantly enhance leisure provision in the resort, council officials are continuing to work alongside education officials to develop a major new sports hub.

Shimna Integrated College is planning to redevelop its King Street site which would include the creation of additional sports facilities at nearby Donard Park.

It has been suggested that the proposed sports facilities could potentially be developed by the Department of Education in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down Council with pitches and a sports pavilion forming the new sports hub which could also used by the community.

While discussions are ongoing, the local authority still has to address the issue of no meaningful indoor sports facility in the resort to cater for both residents and visitors and is turning its attention to the Annesley Buildings site.

Senior council officials have admitted that their initial thoughts about using the location for a town centre hotel have changed, confirming they are working to make a final decision on the way forward. It is also being suggested that the most likely outcome is developing a new leisure-cum-community facility at the Central Promenade site.

A feasibility study on the redevelopment of the town centre site for a new hotel was completed several years ago which suggested a two or three-storey extension extension would be acceptable.

The new hotel was viewed as a key ingredient in the plan to deliver highly ambitious proposals outlined in the Mournes Gateway proposals aimed at shaping future tourist provision in Newcastle.

Other proposals include a gondola ride into the heart of the Mournes and a visitor centre at the site of the old quarry at Thomas’ Mountain. 

It has emerged that work on the high profile tourism project is progressing with moves to establish a board to deliver its various elements, with membership including representatives from the local council, Tourism NI, Forest Service, Mourne Heritage Trust and National Trust.

Over the next month, work is scheduled to start on tendering for consultancy and architectural services, alongside the recruitment of environmental and traffic management services. The Gateway project is part of the local authority’s bid for City Deal funding.